Id never imagined a lover would turn up out of nowhere, and thenjust like thatmy daughter would appear.
Good grief! my motherinlaw, Margaret, rolled her eyes. What do you want?
I is my father at home? I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
No, hes away on a work assignment, she said, shutting the door on me. A faint male voice from deeper in the flat called, Liam, whos there?
Emily and I shared the same bright eyes and a smattering of freckles. She was a slight, shy girl, barely past twelve, with a delicate frame and a nervous imagination.
Her mother, Margaret, was a plump, deliberate woman, serious and methodical. Shed raised Emily alone, loving her with everything she had.
Your dad isnt at fault, Margaret explained calmly to Emily. He simply fell in love with another woman. We wont bother himwell manage on our own.
Emily wanted to know every detail about her father, but Margarets calm, firm tone cooled her curiosity. If he wanted to talk, he would have. There was no point chasing an absent man.
Margaret did everything she could to keep our tiny family afloat. She started out baking cakes and scones for neighbours, then opened a modest bakery on a side street in Manchester.
Emily never tried to help with the shop. She spent her afternoons at an art studio, took piano lessons, and swam at the local poolshe was developing in every direction.
When she told Margaret she wanted to become a nursery assistant, Margaret only smiled warmly. Thats the perfect job for you, love. And Margaret would earn the bread, butter and bacon herself.
Emily had just landed a job after finishing college when tragedy struck. Margaret died after a long illness.
Didnt anyone notice she was getting worse? the young doctor asked, bewildered.
No, Emily stammered. I asked, but Mum said she was just tired
She broke down in tears.
Whats the point in blaming yourself? her old friend James said, philosophically. Aunt Claire wouldnt want you to suffer, thats why she kept quiet.
James and I had been friends since primary school; besides Margaret, Emily had no one else.
James had grown up with a single father who was always busy at work, so theyd spent a lot of time together. Perhaps thats why James, a quiet, homebound type who preferred computers to parties, understood Emilys grief.
I should have seen it! I should have pushed Mum to get treatment, Emily sobbed.
It then emerged that the bakery and the flat were legally hers.
I didnt know, she told James, sounding lost. The bakery administrator mentioned it and handed me a letter
Come on, you mustve signed something, James prompted.
Maybe, Emily thought. Mum asked me to sign; I didnt ask any questions
Looks like Aunt Claire was preparing something, James sighed. Dont weep. What did the letter say?
Together they read the note. In it, Margaret wrote how much she loved Emily and didnt want to upset her, but things had turned out this way. She also gave Emily the name and address of her father: Find him. Hes a good man and will help you if you need it.
Edward ThompsonEmilys fatherlived on the other side of the same city. They planned to drive to his address together, but Jamess grandmother died in Liverpool, so he had to be away for a week.
Wait for me, he said before leaving. Well go to your dad together.
Emily nodded, but didnt follow his advice.
When she knocked on the flats door, a young, stylish woman answered, her hair pulled back tight.
What do you want? the woman asked, eyeing Emily suspiciously.
Is Edward Thompson here? Im his daughter, Emily blurted.
The womans eyes widened. Oh my God! Some lover showed up two months ago, and now theres a daughter What do you want?
Um is my dad at home?
Hes not. Hes on a work trip, the woman replied, closing the door in Emilys face. Emily heard a male voice from inside, Liam, whos there?
Swallowing tears, Emily went back home. It was clear the woman didnt want her meeting her father. What now? Lurk outside his office? It felt humiliating.
The next day, Lydiawho had been Margarets friendcalled and set up a meeting.
Your mother left your number, so I got it. She came by once, wanted to see my husband, but he was never home, Lydia said with a soft smile.
Hello, daughter, a tall, goodlooking man in jeans and a fine sweater stepped forward. Youre quite the beauty. Shame we meet under these circumstances, he added, his face showing regret.
Emily stared at him, heart poundingshe never imagined her father could be so young.
Alex! Youre making Emily blush, Lydia laughed, turning to her husband with affection. Give her a moment.
For the next hour, the freshly reunited father and stepmother peppered Emily with questions about her life. She told them everythingabout Margaret, the bakery, her job.
She sobbed a little as Alex gently patted her head, then declared happily that they were now a family.
Alex and Lydia nodded, reassuring her that it was true.
How do you manage, love? Running a business isnt for everyone, Lydia asked sympathetically.
I dont run it, Emily replied. Theres an administratorshe seems to handle it. I have no idea how it all works.
Thats not right, Alex frowned. Theyll try to cheat you, thats for sure.
What should I do? Emily asked, frightened.
Now youve got usno one will take advantage of you, Alex said.
She brightened.
The very next day Emily signed a power of attorney, giving Alex control of the bakery. She waited patiently for James to return, hoping to share the good news: Shes not alone any more! She has a family thatll look after her.
She didnt tell James over the phonehed probably grumble about waiting too long. Shed rather wait to tell him everything at once, including introducing Alex and Lydia.
When James finally crossed the threshold of her flat, Emily, ecstatic, poured out the whole story.
Dad already fired the administratorhes cleaning up the mess. She was stealing, can you imagine?
Not good, James said, eyes widening.
Hes brilliant! Emily continued, ignoring his reaction. Ill introduce you to him, for sure.
Hed be back from his trip in three days, and wed all meet.
But three days passed, then a week, and Alex never showed up. His phone was switched off.
Lydia also stopped answering calls and texts, and eventually her phone went offline.
Emily and James went to Alexs flat together, but no one opened the door.
Probably Alex is away on a trip, and Lydia is off gallivanting somewhere, muttered a surly neighbour, slamming the door.
Something must have happened to them where could they have gone? Hospital? Morgue? Police? Emily whispered, tears streaming.
Dont start crying again, James sighed. Lets not involve the police yet. Ill try to find out myself.
For three more days Emily tried in vain to reach Alex and Lydia. Then James announced, Weve got a meeting in an hour, we need to leave. He wouldnt say with whom or why, only, Youll find out soon.
To Emilys surprise, they arrived at Alexs house. A short, slightly stout man with a bald patch opened the door.
Oh! Youre them? he said, barely looking up. Come in.
They settled in the kitchen, where a halfempty bottle of whisky and some bland snacks sat on the table.
Did you tell her? the man asked James.
James shook his head.
Tell me yourself, lad. Im not in the mood.
Emily listened, stunned, as James explained. It turned out Lydia was indeed Alexs wifeactually his second wife, whom hed married about five years ago. Alex was a nickname; on his papers his name was Alexander.
Hed been in the flat when Emily first arrived. Apparently, theyd decided to dig into her background, discovered the bakery and the flat, realised she was naïve, and staged a little drama.
You never bothered to look up your father before? James asked Emily.
She shook her head, speechless.
Thats what they were counting on, Alex said.
Is the flat still yours, dear? he turned to Emily.
Yes Dad Alex said wed sell it and buy a house where we could all live together
It wouldnt be surprising if you lost the flat, James added. Something must have gone wrong. Maybe they were scared of being caught. They sold the bakery and fled.
And youre a decent bloke, son, Alex said suddenly. Ive figured things out, came to see you, talked. If only youd listened to me
Emily never went to the police, despite James urging herhe said she was to blame. She kept in touch with her father, who turned out to be a hardworking, ordinary man, though hed been nursing a drink that night because his wife had run off.
On his advice, Emily started looking at Jamess prospects. It seemed a new chapter was about to beginperhaps a husband would soon join her family.
